Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

Our Friends

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Mike and I spent a wonderful day with our friends Howard and Linda Payne. Howard and Linda came into our lives in August 2005 when they had just started full-timing and we were just thinking about it. They were camped near Birmingham, Ala and we decided to journey over and meet these two. We sat and talked for a couple hours that afternoon and as with most full-timers/Rvers we had made new friends. These two meant so much to Mike and I during a really dark time in our lives. They were there and it meant a lot. We will never forget their visit to FDR in April 2006 where we sat together and they allowed us to cry. …in fact I believe they joined us. Today was different!! Today we talked, laughed and enjoyed the beautiful azaleas at Callaway Gardens. We greeted each other with hugs and picked up the conversations as though we had never been apart.

We began by having a good Mexican lunch at San Marcos. As many of you know, San Marcos is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. We met Howard and Linda around 11:30. We ate and talked until around 1:30.

We went from San Marcos to the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. This is the newest azalea area at Callaway and it is bordered by a lake and at the far end sits the chapel. Very pretty and peaceful. From this point we journeyed to the Overlook area. This is the oldest of the azalea areas and the paths wind around and around the most beautiful azaleas in all different colors. There are many Japanese Maples in both the dark red and bright green colors. To make the day even better the sun decided to shine and it became a beautiful sunny day.

As we walked through the area Linda gave me a quick lesson on identifying different bird songs. They pointed out different birds to us as we walked about the area. I would love to take a few hikes with these two…..I could learn so much about birding from them.

After finishing our tour of the azaleas Linda had the great idea to get some ice cream. Our first choice of places was closed so we went further down the street to Lubell’s Ice Cream Parlor. We each got our favorite flavor and enjoyed the moment. What a great idea Linda!!!! There is nothing better than a good cup or cone of ice cream, good friends and good conversation.

All too soon the afternoon was over and it was time to say “so long” to our friends. We brought Howard and Linda back to their car and did our traditional so long hugs. It was a wonderful day with good friends. Thanks Howard and Linda for venturing our way to camp for a few days and spending some time with us.

Friday, March 25, 2011

It appears the dust has settled and the endless parade of people through the house is over! YAY!! The house didn’t have an enormous amount of things to be done but did need some updating in places. All together we have renovated the kitchen (except the floor) with new appliances, granite countertop, new sink and faucet and paint.

The guest bathroom did not have a shower so we installed one in that bathroom. In order to do that we had to tear out most of the tile in that tub and then retile. We put in an exhaust fan and new light fixture and of course…..paint. The master bathroom received a new pedestal sink because the contractor dropped the old one….YAY!! In this bathroom we installed a new light fixture and mirror along with the new pedestal sink, faucet and of course…..paint. Both bathrooms have retained the black and white charm of the 50’s period. They are small but hey….we’re rver and used to small quarters. It works just fine for us. At the last minute we decided to tile the sunroom….so much easier to keep clean especially with little doggies!

The many azaleas are beginning to bloom and the birds are abundant. The backyard is very peaceful and we enjoy just getting lost in it. We spend a lot of time on the back porch just sitting and listening to the birds serenade us.

We are continuing to work on Mike’s health and getting him healthy once again. We are still visiting the doctors on a regular basis but that, hopefully, will get better in the near future. It makes it hard to take a road trip but we hope that when the dust settles we can take some trips from here. Our plans are to downsize from the Dutch Star into something smaller for our part-time lifestyle. We will take our time looking for just what we want but right now we will focus on getting settled in the house and Mike’s health. Not the original plan but not a bad one either.

I’ve included some pictures of the house including the areas we renovated. Enjoy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

I have officially hit a milestone….another birthday!! We decided to celebrate my special birthday dinner on Sunday since Stephen was off and could join us. We had a nice meal at Longhorn Steakhouse and spent the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying this beautiful time of the year.

Mike asked me what I wanted for my birthday and being the good rv’er that I am…. I really couldn’t think of one thing I actually needed so I went for the birds. We took a trip to Wild Birds Unlimited in Peachtree City where I picked out a neat new feeder that you can put a seed cake on. It is spiral and has little perches for the birds to sit on with a top to protect the seed from the rain.

As with most new things it takes the birds a few days to venture in to dine. I am hoping they will like it.

Later in the day we feasted on the traditional birthday cake. Did I say it was diet time??? It’s diet time!!!!

The cake was delicious and we had the good insight to order only a small cake. Mike is NOT suppose to be eating lots of sugar so we didn’t want any temptations hanging around.

All in all it has been a really nice birthday….quiet, calm and relaxing!!! Just right!!

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. ~Lucille Ball

Saturday, March 19, 2011

In light of all the horrible news happening throughout the world, isn’t it nice to know God still brings forth His seasons. This season of spring is coming forth with renewal of His creation. His painting in this world reminds us this earth is His creation. Gerri & I hope you enjoy His beauty we have tried to capture in pictures.

We never want to forget the need to pray for those in Japan. It is hard to go forward with our lives without remembering the tremendous needs of the people of Japan.

Monday, March 7, 2011

This afternoon we had the opportunity to visit with some very good friends that we met last year at Rainbow Plantation. On the way to Nashville, Gene and Judi Curp stopped over to spend the afternoon and night in LaGrange.

We spent most of the afternoon visiting and catching up on old and present times. Later in the day we went to Longhorn Steak House for dinner and then to our house for dessert and more visiting. I can’t begin to tell you how much we enjoyed seeing them again. It was about this time last year that we last saw each other. It’s kinda neat that you can go a year without seeing someone, but when you get together it’s like you haven’t been away more than a day or so. Now that’s friends!

We got to see their Class C which they got back in October. It’s really neat and so comfortable. It really fits their needs and wants great and we enjoyed seeing it.

Thanks Gene and Judi for a great day and for being such good friends, we are truly blessed.

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About Us

Gerri and I were married in 1982 and have dreamed of full-timing for quite some time. September, 2009 we began our fulltime adventure. In December 2016 we re-entered the full-time lifestyle but now in our New Oliver travel Trailer. We want to see the beauties of God's creation whether they be grand sights or plain simple beauties. To see and experience the lifestyles of the different areas of our country. God is good!